4 June 2025
What Counts as a Dental Emergency? Urgent Dental Care Guide
A cracked tooth, a swollen gum, or even a sudden injury can leave you wondering: Do I need to see an emergency dentist?Understanding what qualifies as a dental emergency is essential not only for immediate relief but also to prevent long-term damage to your oral health.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the most common dental emergencies, when to seek urgent care, and what to expect during your visit.
Why It’s Important to Act Quickly
Unlike many other health concerns, dental problems rarely get better on their own. Ignoring a severe toothache or swelling can lead to complications such as:
- Increased pain or infection
- Tooth loss
- The need for more invasive (and expensive) treatment
- Impact on your overall health, especially if infection spreads
Knowing the signs of a dental emergency allows you to act quickly and get the right help.
Common Types of Dental Emergencies
Not every dental issue requires immediate attention, but certain symptoms should never be ignored. Here are the most common dental emergencies:
1. Severe Toothache
A toothache that doesn’t go away or becomes more intense could be a sign of:
- Tooth decay reaching the nerve- When cavities are left untreated, the decay can gradually progress through the layers of the tooth—starting with the enamel, then the dentin, and eventually reaching the innermost part of the tooth, known as the pulp.
The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels, and once decay reaches this area, it can cause intense, throbbing pain and lead to infection or the formation of an abscess. At this stage, urgent dental treatment is required to relieve the pain and prevent further complications. Depending on the severity of the decay, your dentist may recommend a root canal to save the natural tooth, or an extraction if the tooth is beyond repair.
- Infection or abscess- A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, typically developing at the root of a tooth or in the surrounding gum tissue.
It is often the result of untreated tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease, or a cracked or injured tooth that allows bacteria to enter the inner tooth structures. A dental abscess is a serious condition and should be treated as an emergency, as the infection can spread to other parts of the body, including the jawbone, neck, and even vital organs in rare cases.
Prompt treatment is essential and may involve draining the abscess, prescribing antibiotics to control the infection, and performing a root canal if the tooth is salvageable. In more severe cases, tooth extraction may be required to prevent further complications.
- Impacted tooth or gum disease
- Pain lasts more than 1-2 days
- Over-the-counter painkillers don’t help
- The pain wakes you up at night- occurs when a tooth, most often a wisdom tooth, fails to fully emerge through the gum line. This can be due to lack of space in the mouth, improper positioning, or obstruction by other teeth. Impacted teeth can lead to a range of dental issues, especially if they press against neighbouring teeth or remain partially erupted, creating pockets where bacteria can thrive. If left untreated, impacted teeth can cause infections, damage to adjacent teeth, and the formation of cysts. In many cases, surgical extraction is the most effective solution to alleviate discomfort and prevent complications.
2. Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It may form at the root of a tooth or in the gum.
Symptoms include:
- Swollen face or gums
- Throbbing pain that radiates to jaw or ear
- Fever or general unwell feeling
- Bad taste in the mouth
Action required: Seek emergency dental care immediately. Abscesses can be life-threatening if the infection spreads.
3. Broken or Chipped Tooth
If you’ve broken or chipped a tooth from an accident, biting something hard, or a fall, it can be both painful and urgent depending on severity.
When it’s an emergency:
- The tooth is bleeding or causing pain
- A large portion has broken off
- The sharp edge is cutting your tongue or cheek
4. Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth)
If a tooth has been completely knocked out, time is critical. The best chance of saving the tooth is within 30 to 60 minutes.
What to do:
5. Loose or Dislodged Tooth
If your tooth feels loose or has moved out of alignment due to injury, it may still be salvageable with prompt attention.
6.Bleeding Gums or Soft Tissues
Bleeding from your gums, lips or tongue can be a sign of trauma or underlying gum disease.
Seek help if:
- The bleeding is heavy or won’t stop
- You’ve had recent oral surgery
- There’s accompanying swelling or pain
7. Lost Crown or Filling
A missing crown or filling can expose sensitive parts of your tooth, causing pain or vulnerability to further damage.
Temporary relief tip: Use dental cement or even sugar-free gum to cover the tooth, but book an emergency appointment to avoid infection or cracking.
8. Swelling in the Face or Jaw
Unexplained swelling could indicate infection, trauma, or even something more serious like a salivary gland issue.
Don’t wait — seek professional help promptly, especially if it’s accompaniedby difficulty breathing or swallowing.
If you’re unable to reach your local dentist and you’re experiencing:
- Severe facial swelling affecting vision or breathing
- Heavy bleeding that won’t stop
- Signs of systemic infection (fever, nausea, vomiting)
Call 111 for urgent dental advice or head to A&E.
At Knighton Dental Practice, we offer same-day emergency dental appointments starting from £37. Whether you’re in pain or unsure if your condition is urgent, our team is here to help with compassion and speed.
We also cover emergency dentistry in surrounding areas, making urgent care accessible across the region.
Final Thoughts
Dental emergencies are stressful, but knowing what qualifies as urgent and acting quickly can make all the difference in preserving your oral health.
Even seemingly minor issues can become serious without professional care.
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